A CENTURION RECOGNIZES GOD

LUKE 23

Pastor Rick Jackson

Here in Luke we find a centurion who seemed to have learned the truth concerning Jesus the same way many others have… slowly, as the Holy Spirit opened their spiritual eyes until they saw the Son of God for who He is- God in the flesh!

I. WHAT HE SAID [v. 47]

1. Glorified God [v. 47a]

2. “Certainly this was a righteous man.” [v. 47b, 40-41]

3. “Truly this man was the Son of God” [Mk. 15:39]

II. WHY HE SAID WHAT HE SAID [v. 1-47]

1. A Soldier Listens [v. 1-6, 13-24, 27-31, 34-37, 39-43, 46]

2. A Soldier Looks [v. 7, 11, 25-26, 32-33, 38, 44-47]

3. A Soldier Learns [v. 41-43, Mt. 27:54]

Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

III. WAS WHAT HE SAID ENOUGH?

Was he saved? I like to think so but some don’t agree. Was saying the right things, enough?

1. A Simple Affirmation of Bible Truth is Not Enough [James 2:19]

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

2. A Sincere Acceptance of Christ’s Person & Work is Enough [John 1:12]

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

3. A Solid Answer May Have to Wait [1 Corinthians 13:12]

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

But my friend, you can know for sure whether YOU are saved or not. 1 John 5:11-13 makes that abundantly clear:

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.